Help convince please...

[gopherhockey03]

Hi my names Tanner! To start off I am a die hard exotic pet fan. Out of my pets I own Tortoises, Leopard geckos and crested geckos. I was lucky growing up my family owns a pet zebra a pet kangaroo and my favorite our kinkajou! Growing up my parents were deathly afraid of getting a snake so no go on the snake then. Then I moved into the dorms... No snake there.... Then I moved into an apartment yet again no snake!!! Now I finally am moved into my new house and am settled in and I thought time to get my snake!!! I have been doing my research and feel I am 100% capable of having the commitment of this new pet. Now before I make $400 purchases I usually talk it over with the girlfriend she looked at me and these were her reactions ==> and these were mine ===> I need your help guys I'm going to show her this thread reassure her they are awesome! And they rarely bite! I have been waiting since I was 8 to get a snake i'm 22 now help me out people it's been a long wait...

[The Serpent Merchant]

Well the best thing to do is have her hold a ball python. That works on most people.

There are defiantly some good threads that have some great pictures of BP's on this site that could help as well. (check out the picture section)

BP's very rarely bite and even if they do it isn't that bad (the smaller they are the better my babies could bite me with out me even noticing. that being said I currently have 6 snakes and have only been bit two or three times.


Best of luck

[Inknsteel]

You should look for any reptile shows in your area and shee if she would agree to go with you to one (if no reptile shows, see if there are any breeders in your area willing to let you come see their animals). While you're there you can show her several different morphs and she will be able to handle some and see for herself how docile these snakes can be. She would also get to see some adults there so she can see that a ball python isn't going to grow into a 14 foot monster snake. Just do your research and present her with a facts and make a strong case for yourself. Find out what her specific objections are and address each concern individually.

Is she afraid it's going to escape? Get a secure locking enclosure.

If she is afraid it's going to bite, I will say that anything with a mouth CAN bite. I have been around snakes for many many years. I have owned ball pythons for close to 5 years. I currently own 15 snakes, handle them regularly and have not been bit once. Once you learn to read your snake's behavior, you will know when is and isn't a good time to handle...

Good luck. I had to do the same to convince my wife to let me get them and now she loves them almost as much as I do...

[Dracoluna]

What exactly are her objections? It's very possible that she is very scared of them and that might take some time to work through. If it's just a dislike, then she should state her problems with it and give you a chance to respond. My husband doesn't like snakes either but we made the agreement that I don't force them on him, he doesn't have to take care of them, and I'm allowed to have them. Granted, I owned the snakes BEFORE meeting him so he didn't have much choice but part of a relationship is give and take.

Possible objections:
Dirty - they are cleaner than dogs and cats. Trust me on this one.

Smell - Same as above and since you have a lab, I'm sure you know that a wet dog can smell pretty bad. If the tank/cage/tub is kept clean, ball pythons are relatively odorless. My corn snakes are worse...

Getting loose - Make sure the enclosure is such that you can't even pry it open without undoing latches, locks, etc. That's generally a pretty good rule of thumb (experience comes from owning corns who like to try and escape. My bp hasn't bothered to try at all).

Biting - Your dog can do more damage playing than a bp. Also, if you compare it to a dog (since most people at least understand them somewhat), snakes can be read to see how they are feeling. Obviously, coiling up, striking, tail rattles, and hisses are signs they are stressed/annoyed. Same as a dog bristling up and growling or baring his teeth. Also, bp's aren't particularly nippy. Find one that is calm, you can handle, and do so BEFORE buying. Let her pet the snake a little too if she's willing so she can see that that particular animal is calm. A good breeder will also spend time talking to her about any concerns she may have.

Feeding - Ok, it's hard to handle this one as there is no dry snake kibble anywhere. Either you will have to throw a live rat in and watch it get killed/eaten or you will have dead ones in the freezer. If you have a deep freeze, this is easier to hide if she doesn't wish to think about it.

IF she really is truly terrified of snakes, you should talk to someone who has a few that is experienced with dealing with people who might be frightened of them. There are a lot of ways to work through fears especially if her fear is caused by the usual, parents telling her snakes are dangerous/scary/slimy. Most adults can rationalize things out when faced with the real facts (and a handle-able snake).

[dragonmoon]

It might not be easy , it took me 8 years to convince the wife into letting me get a snake .... but the day we picked them up she was fascinated and was walking around holding the female lol

[gopherhockey03]

Ya she's been a vegetarian her entire life so the feeding part is a little touchy but I would never expect her to feed it or watch me feed it. Like you guys said her main concern is it escaping which is a easy fix. And she claims they are "Slithery" which I think is the best part! Maybe I will make the 6 hour drive to a reptile show this summer to let her hold and interact with one. I'm sure they are a whole lot cheaper there also! Looks like a lot more waiting...

[DooLittle]

I used to be terrified of snakes. Until I got up the nerve to hold one. That was it. I fell hook line and sinker. They are wonderful pets, low maintenance, they do not smell. They only eat once a week or two dependant on how old they are. We have 6 bps, only one of them is grumpy. Right before she goes into shed (before she is blue, so you can't ever tell) she gets grumpy. It's like pms or something. The rest are fine. We have 2 that are so mellow our 8 yo can take them out and handle them all by herself. You just have to get to know them, and you can tell their moods. I definately think her actually holding one will go along ways for convincing. They are just great. And if she is worried about "slithery" bps are more like the lap dogs of snakes. They aren't nearly as busy as say a corn. Good luck!!

[Rob]

Looks like a lot more waiting...

Or you could order one online and have it to your door the next day. Most will eat Pre packaged frozen rodents so your GF doesn't have to see the mice or rats you feed it, and it's only once a week anyway. I say you have waited long enough, just remember its a scientific fact you can't own just one ball python.

[DooLittle]

Or you could order one online and have it to your door the next day. Most will eat Pre packaged frozen rodents so your GF doesn't have to see the mice or rats you feed it, and it's only once a week anyway. I say you have waited long enough, just remember its a scientific fact you can't own just one ball python.

^^^^^^ This is a proven fact....

I need to figure out how to just quote part of it...

[Rob]

" They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time."